Interpretive Summary: Cotton is often classified using high volume instrumentation. Although accurate, these laboratory systems require strict laboratory conditions, well trained operators, and are expensive. Much interest has been shown in non-laboratory measurements (e.g., cotton field, warehouse, gin) in situations not related to classing or commercial trade, especially for those processes/ locations prior to fiber processing into yarns. Several recent developments in field, at-line, and on-line quality measurement systems are reviewed from breeding/field measurements to post harvest operations. In ginning, the main quality measurements are for fiber color, trash, and moisture and for plastic contamination. In the warehouse/storage, systems for moisture and color measurements are in place. Research on fiber quality properties for in/near cotton field analyses (seed cotton) is in its infancy. Seed cotton micronaire (a measure of the fiber’s maturity and fineness) has been measured in/near the cotton field using portable NIR instruments. Trend analyses (high-medium-low micronaire) have been obtained with portable NIR units, and new units are under evaluation. Field trials with new, more cost and size effective NIR units are planned.

Technical Abstract:
Cotton is often classified using high volume instrumentation. Although accurate, these laboratory systems require strict laboratory conditions, well trained operators, and are expensive. Much interest has been shown in non-laboratory measurements in situations not related to classing or commercial trade, especially for those processes/locations prior to fiber processing into yarns. Several recent developments in field, at-line, and on-line quality measurement systems are reviewed from breeding/field measurements to post harvest operations. In ginning, the main quality measurements are for fiber color, trash, and moisture and for plastic contamination. In the warehouse/storage, systems for moisture and color measurements are in place. Research on fiber quality properties for in/near cotton field analyses (seed cotton) is in its infancy. Seed cotton micronaire has been measured in/near the cotton field using portable NIR instruments. Trend analyses (high-medium-low micronaire) have been obtained with portable NIR units, and new units are under evaluation. Field trials with new, more cost and size effective NIR units are planned.